New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson will miss Friday’s play-in tournament elimination game against the Sacramento Kings due to a left hamstring injury, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.
Williamson’s highlight-filled, 40-point, 11-rebound showing in his post-season debut ended in a worrisome way for him and New Orleans on Tuesday night. He missed the final three minutes of a 110-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference play-in tournament because of a left leg injury.
He appeared to sustain the injury on a play that saw him drive to the basket then knock down a floater over Lakers centre Anthony Davis.
Williamson, who missed most of his first four seasons because of a series of injuries to his knee, hand, foot and hamstring, finally got through a regular season in relatively good health in his fifth year as a pro.
He played in 70 games, leading the 49-win Pelicans in scoring, at 22.9 points.
The winner of Friday’s game will clinch the No. 8 seed in the West, advancing to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
— with files from the Associated Press
